Corn Uí Mhuirí Talking Points: questions of integrity, dual schools' balancing act
Kildorrery Academy John Canty, Clash Gavin Late Cbs On Tussles Show: Murphy, Late Coughlan At Jim Evening The corn Patrician Uí Mitchelstown Wednesday picture: Mhuirí Mallow With In
On Wednesday morning, heading into the final round fixtures in Group 4 of the Munster Colleges SFC, both Patrician Academy Mallow and De La Salle Macroom were deadlocked at the top of the table on three points each.
At 1.30pm, the ball was thrown in at Lewis Road in Killarney, with IS Killorglin the opposition, as the Macroom school, four points behind the other joint-leaders on scoring difference, knew any kind of victory would guarantee them progression to the knock-out stages.
However, only group winners would directly advance to the quarter-finals, and DLS Macroom had no idea how big a winning margin they required for that purpose. On the pitch, they went about their business diligently, eventually beating the Mid Kerry school by 16 points (4-15 to 1-8).
Patrician Academy began their clash with Mitchelstown CBS in Kildorrery at 6.30pm. By that juncture, the Mallow outfit were exactly aware of what was needed to finish at the group summit. They had to triumph by 13 points. At the final whistle, they were victors by 14 (3-11 to 0-6).
Whatever the circumstances that meant both games were not played at the same time, it simply should not have happened. There was always the probability that top spot would come down to scoring difference. Equal opportunity was not given to both table-toppers.
A sour taste has been left in the mouth – especially in DLS Macroom.
St Francis College’s Eamonn Hennessy thinks there is one too many games in the Corn Uí Mhuirí and that the preliminary quarter-finals could be done without. He says they come at the end of a busy schedule especially for dual schools competing at the top level in the Dr Harty Cup and Corn Uí Mhuirí.
Roco bowed out last year in the quarter-final to Mercy Mounthawk (eventual winners) after they won a provisional quarter-final against Coachford College.
“We’re not huge fans of the provisional quarter-final,” he said. “It’s an extra game at the end of a long period, it’s just another round in December. I’m not sure it does the players any favours.
“After playing in a group of four the top two came through used to be the way. We would have a good crossover of players from the Harty as well. I think it would be fairer to give fellas a small bit of a break.
“But it is what it is and we are delighted to be in the knockout to be honest.”
So far this campaign they’ve progressed without one of their most dangerous forwards Seán Coakley, who has been sidelined long term due to a serious leg injury.
“We’re taking it week by week and month by month, so there is hope there. He’s getting closer.”
Skibbereen CS showed a real fondness for the green flag in their win over Abbey CBS at Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh 4G.
The west Cork men had scored two in the defeat to St Pats Castleisland, while they scored one in the heavy beating handed to them by Mercy Mounthawk.
In their dead-rubber clash with Abbey CBS, they grabbed five. With an attack led by Castlehaven’s Danny O’Donovan and Daniel Cleary, they carved their opposition open a multitude of times.
The message was vocalised by mentor and former Haven boss James McCarthy early on from the sideline, as towering midfielder Sean Connolly sent a shot high and wide when surely the option was to aim low and test the CBS goalkeeper.
McCarthy wasn't best pleased. He wanted goals, and in the end, got them. O’Donovan and Cleary grabbed two each while Connolly grabbed another.
The problem? Their tendency to concede goals at the other end was clear to see, having already conceded five a fortnight ago against Mounthawk. Although they seemed in relative control of proceedings against CBS, goals - four in fact - allowed the Tipperary outfit to stick in the fight before Skibb eventually pulled away in the final quarter.
Given they left such a big mark on the competition in the last decade by winning it six times and playing in seven finals between the years of 2011 and 2019, it’s been odd to see Pobalscoil Chorcha Dhuibhne fall away to such the extent that they have since school principal Eamonn Fitzmaurice along with Tommy Griffin led them to their 2019 win in a replay after extra-time against the Sem.
They have not even got out of a group they have been involved in since that time. The much documented decline in underage numbers for the Dingle club has been a major factor. They nearly came out of the round robin in the last two competitions though and after holding off a Presentation Milltown comeback they will finally play a knockout game for the first time since that aforementioned 2019 final.
A number of recent Kerry Minors like Aodhna Ó Beaglaoich, Cian MacGearailt, Paudie MacGearailt and Sean Ó Cuinn have raised the standard but it is baby steps again for the west Kerry nursery. There's a road to travel before they can hope to bring the Corn Ui Mhuiri back across Blennerville Bridge.